Postdoctoral position on transthyretin amyloid formation using X-rays, neutrons and electron microscopy

Postdoctoral position on transthyretin amyloid formation using X-rays, neutrons and electron microscopy.

Description of the project

A motivated postdoctoral researcher is sought to work on the molecular mechanisms underlying amyloid formation from the protein transthyretin. Transthyretin normally functions as a transporter protein of thyroxine and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. However the folded protein is prone to instability and the formation of amyloid fibrils in tissues such as the heart and nervous system, invariably with fatal consequences. The project will focus on probing the molecular factors underlying this instability (see for example https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08609-z/), and in understanding the pathway that link the functional and pathological forms of the protein. Techniques involved will include X-ray and neutron crystallography, small-angle scattering (SAXS & SANS), and cryo-EM.

The work will involve the study of wild-type TTR (which is intrinsically amyloidogenic) and also a range of other mutants that are typically associated with early onset amyloidosis in various tissues. The work may involve comparative studies with amyloid material derived from ex vivo sources.

Description of the workplace

The Molecular Biophysics group is in the Department of Experimental Medical Science within Lund University Faculty of Medicine, and is led by Professor Trevor Forsyth. The group uses biophysical techniques to study biomolecular systems in crystals, solutions and partially ordered systems. Particular use is made of X-ray and neutron diffraction, cryo-EM, and a wide range of other biophysical techniques. The group is located in close proximity to the MAX-IV and ESS facilities in Lund which accommodates state-of-the-art facilities for synchrotron and neutron beam instrumentation as well as for cryo-EM. The group also makes extensive use of the ESRF and ILL X-ray/neutron sources in Grenoble, France, and at DESY in Hamburg, Germany. The project will have good access to state-of-the-art facilities within the medical, natural science and engineering faculties. Professor Forsyth leads the LINXS advanced study institute at the Science Village (https://www.linxs.se/) located between MAX IV & ESS and there is good access to a wide range of highly interdisciplinary science in life sciences, soft matter, and hard matter.

Work duties and responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher in the group, you will need to perform sample preparation, data collection and analysis work as agreed during regular meetings.  You will also need to participate in laboratory tasks within the research group as part of the normal daily activities in a team-driven laboratory environment.  The work may require travel to institutes including ILL in France, DESY in Hamburg, and other centres as needed for the project.  It may also require participation in national and international conferences.

Description of the AMBER project context 

This post-doctoral position is part of the EU cofund research project AMBER, Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures, will address scientific and sectoral gaps in biological imaging ranging from molecular, through cellular, to tissue, organ and organism levels of organisation, and is coordinated by LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X-ray Science.

AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme.

Around 20 postdocs will be recruited in the fourth call 2025, with each fellowship lasting 36 months.

AMBER has six core partners: Lund University/MAX IV, Sweden, the European Spallation Source (ESS), Sweden, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), France, the International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines, (IMOL), Poland, and the Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom.

Your work may include clinical and biomedical projects. It may also include technique development work aimed at combining imaging techniques and data analysis to provide a more integrated picture of life processes in the context of health and disease. To be a postdoc fellow at the AMBER programme you will get unprecedented medical, biological, and methodological capabilities, with a profound potential impact for Europe’s next generation of research and researchers. When you have completed the AMBER programme you will be extraordinarily well equipped to further your career in academia, at infrastructures, in the health and MedTech sectors, and beyond.

For more information about the total announced post-doctoral positions within in the AMBER co-fund project please visit https://www.euraxess.se/jobs/341970.

The interviews will start in November 2025. For more information about AMBER, application and evaluation process etc please visit: ambercofund.eu.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements are:

• Candidate needs to have a maximum 8 years after a doctoral degree (PhD), as required by the project Grant Agreement signed with the European Commission,
• At least one original publication in a peer-reviewed journal,
• A background in the relevant methods,
• A complete application package submitted through the AMBER portal (including CV and detailed research plan), and finally,
• Strict compliance with the MSCA mobility rule that the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host organisation'scountry for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the call deadline.

Each project will have additional specific requirements that candidates have to fulfill, be sure to check what these are before you apply.

• Undergraduate degrees in physical sciences, biological sciences or other relevant field.
• PhD or equivalent foreign degree within physical sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology or a related subject. The PhD must be completed no later than the time the employment decision is made,
• Competence in protein expression and purification
• Competence in X-ray and/or neutron diffraction (eg crystallography, small-angle scattering) and associated data analysis.
• Ability to develop and conduct good quality research.
• Motivation and ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Personal skills are of importance. It is crucial that you are structured in your work and can work independently and have good social skills.

The assessment of applicants will be based primarily on their scientific merit and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

We offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension. We also have a flexible time agreement that creates good conditions for a balance between work and leisure.

Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us.

About the employment

The position is a fixed-term position of three years, 100% with start date on 2026-01-01 or as agreed. Employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, you are therefore expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund.

The employment is limited to maximum three years, according to the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher (the Swedish Employers' Association). A postdoctoral position is intended as an initial step in a career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden research expertise.

Instructions on how to apply

For more information and documents/templates/europass link, please visit https://www.ambercofund.eu/for-applicants.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure that you upload all the required documents specified below i-ix.

If you are interested in applying for more than one position (maximum 3) you must be prepared to make a full application for each individual position.

Applications shall be written in English and all documents shall be in pdf format.

i) A Curriculum Vitae (europass format). Your CV shall be exported to a PDF file that you use in your application.

ii) A detailed research plan including any foreseen secondments (candidates can suggest more than the mandated one, they can also suggest their own secondments), schools and conferences as well as a templated budget plan. The research plan should be as concise as possible, 3 pages, including one-third page of summary/abstract.

Additional texts to include in the PDF are:

iii) Letter of Commitment from any additional secondment partners the candidate wishes to bring

onboard.

iv) Evidence of English proficiency (minimum CEFR B22, also checked at interview).

v) A draft Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP).

vi) Two reference letters.

vii) Any additional documents to support the application.

viii) Ethical questionnaire (HE ethics checklist + research ethics commitment)

In addition, the application will require:

ix) Any candidate can apply for maximum of 3 positions. You must apply for each individual position. A list with order of preference of positions should be sent to the AMBER management. amber@linxs.se

More information about the Faculty of Medicine